Dolan wins 75th MWGA Amateur Championship

Monday

Jul 15, 2013 at 3:00 PM

The 75th MWGA Amateur Championship at Old Kinderhook in Camdenton, MO took place on Wednesday, July 10 through Friday, July 12. The event featured a 54 hole stroke play, with golfers from around the state coming to compete for the title.

Day 1The heat didn't bother defending Amateur Champion, Ellen Port, shooting even par 71 with three birdies and three bogeys, giving her the lead by two strokes over 2011 Champion Catherine Dolan (73) and McCall Christopher (73) of Lee's Summit on the first day of play. The 2010 Amateur runner up Katrina Choate trailed by only three shots after a lengthy hiatus from golf. Brooke Cusumano of St. Louis shot 78 and Mizzou's Laura Kraft carded a 79.

Day 2Overnight rains did not slow down the greens at Old Kinderhook, as they continued maintained a quick pace for the state's best amateurs. Round two of the 75th MWGA Amateur Championship at Old Kinderhook Golf Resort in Camdenton was "moving day" for several contenders.

Defending champion Ellen Port (St. Louis) had a difficult day hitting anything close to the hole. "I just wasn't as sharp as I have been with my irons. I hit great putts, but I didn't give myself many chances today" she said.

Port's 77 opened the door for the 2011 Champion Catherine Dolan (Ballwin) who has mastered the art of "up and down" and came home with even par 71 to finish round two on top. Dolan's two day total score of 144 earns her the Medalist honor for the championship. Quietly pursuing the leaders was 2010 runner-up Katrina Choate. The Drury University star has concentrated the past year on her new career, with very little time for practice or golf. "I think that's why I'm playing so well. I've had a rest, and I'm in a good place as far as golf is concerned. I really have nothing to lose, so I'm just playing and having a good time". Choate's 72 had her in second place while Indiana State's McCall Christopher posted another 73 to stay within 2 shots of the lead. Brooke Cusumano (St. Louis) continued her good run by shooting 75 and was the "low junior" on the leaderboard. (The junior with the lowest tournament final score receives the Peg Ludlow Low Junior Trophy). Day 3The 75th MWGA Amateur Championship at Old Kinderhook Golf Resort in Camdenton came down to a photo finish with Catherine Dolan holding on to defeat defending champion Ellen Port by one stroke. The day began with Dolan leading by two over Indiana State's McCall Christopher and Drury alumnus Katrina Choate. Port was trailing by four strokes and finished two over while Christopher and Choate faltered on the back nine. Dolan made the turn at +2, adding bogeys on 11,13 and 15 to finish with a final round 76. Port's birdies on 11 and 14 were followed by a three putt bogey on 15, coming back with a birdie on 18, but it wasn't enough to catch Dolan. Dolan's victory gives her a second Amateur title, having won in 2011 at Bellerive Country Club. Medalist was Catherine's Dolan with a two day total of 144. Runner Up was Ellen Port who received the Cassett Trophy. Third place was awarded to McCall Christopher of Lee's Summit (226) and fourth was presented to Katrina Choate of Fenton, MO (227)

The Peg Ludlow Trophy for low Junior was presented to St. Louis native Brooke Cusumano for her three day score of 232 and finished in fifth place overall. Kelly Osborne of Ballwin took sixth place with her total of 236.

Top players from the Amateur are eligible for the Missouri Fore State Team, which will be announced soon. The Fore State Team Championship is a Ryder Cup style match play competition with Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas competing each year. Missouri will be the host for this year's competition being held at Twin Hills Country Club on August 1-2nd, 2013.

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